Com@ModemDag took place on Thursday 18 October 2018 in Mechelen

The Com@ModemDag 2018 was positively received

This is what you missed:

At Com@ModemDag you could learn all about the latest tools and technology for people who have difficulties with reading, speaking, writing and other forms of communication!

This year, our Com@ModemDag had a richly filled program again with a plenary part, workshops and an experience fair! Top speaker was Prof. dr. Filip Loncke, researcher in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Virginia (USA). He was responsible for both the keynote and a workshop. The experience fair was an ideal place to exchange practical and immediately usable information with colleagues.

Programma

Prof. dr. Filip Loncke, Research and critical approach to Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Modem, brief and to the point, part 1 The latest applications in the field of assistive (communication) technology

11.00 u

Start Workshop 1

12.00 u

Lunch

13.00 u

Start Workshop 2

14.10 u

Plenary part

Modem, brief and to the point, part 2The latest applications in the field of assistive (communication) technology

15.20 u

Experience fair: share knowledge and experiences with colleagues

16.30 u

End

Prof. Filip Loncke, keynote

Prof. dr. Loncke is a world-renowned researcher in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Virginia (USA). In Flanders he was one of the founding fathers of SMOG (Speaking With Support of Gestures). https://curry.virginia.edu/filip-t-lonckeIn his keynote "Research and critical approach to Augmentative and Alternative Communication" he discusses a number of underlying assumptions in determining vocabulary, objectives and methods of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Modem, brief and to the point

During one and a half hours we show dozens of innovations in the field of assistive technology who have come to the market in recent months. Our experts are constantly looking for solutions to questions they receive during advice and training. We keep an eye on the market, but sometimes we also encounter pearls that have been around for a while. If you want to stay informed about new apps, devices, updates, web applications, low-tech tools, ... come to "Modem, brief and to the point".

Workshops

Principles of assessment in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Prof. Filip Loncke, Associate Professor University of Virginia

With Augmentative and Alternative Communication, you need to know who benefits from communication help. But equally important is the question of which help is the right one? But what makes us decide what that help should consist of? Is it enough to determine which device or system works best for a client? Which observations and conclusions help us to put together the intervention program? Which is the role and responsibility of team members? Is it possible to predict results? When do we call an intervention successful? The workshop teaches you that many factors together have an influence on success and progress.

Getting started with a communication passport, what is it and how do you make it?

Mediander Learning Network Augmentative and Alternative Communication

A communication passport contains information about a child, a young person or an adult with speech impairment. What forms of communication does he use, how does he express needs, what does he / she like to talk about, ... With the passport in your pocket, the first contact between the person and a social worker, teacher, neighbour, ... is smoother. On www.communicatiepaspoort.be you can make your passport free of charge. The website was developed by the Learning Network Augmentative and Alternative Communication and was recently renewed by students from Vives University College. We guide you through the new website and create a communication passport together.

Topshake: a breakfast concept for people with swallowing problems

Kim Geys, dietitian, Thomas More University College

Topshake is a new breakfast concept for people with swallowing problems. A healthy breakfast is not obvious for people who need a lot of care. Yet they must get enough calories daily. Topshake offers an alternative to solid food, it is nutritionally balanced and it is standardized, also in terms of consistency. Currently this concept is fully developed for people with dementia and is being investigated how it can be extended to other target groups. There are samples available so that you can experience the taste and structure yourself.

2Hands4Kids

Mieke Van Doninck, child physical therapist

The original psychomotor method to learn to type from Wendy Peerlings (Practice Explore) has been renewed based on years of experience and has a new name. 2Hands4Kids-Typing still uses therapeutic insights in the motor learning of children, making this approach unique. To integrate typing as well as possible, all learning channels are addressed simultaneously. We work with colors, figurines, stories, games, fill-in exercises, thinking exercises, ... Consciously working on something else to automate the unconscious at once!

Differentiated care with CleverKids

Lucas Hermans, teacher, Eureka Education

In this workshop you will meet the practice platform CleverKids. CleverKids is a platform on which your children can exercise on a differentiated manner. It is developed from the expertise of Eureka Education. Children with and without disabilities can use CleverKids to make exercises in an accessible way. Currently it is focused on math. Pupils receive immediate feedback and start using fun practice materials.

Alternative access for persons with motor impairments

Pepijn Vandevoorde, occupational therapist, DVC Sint-Jozef

For a lot of people with motor impairments controlling tablets, mouse, keyboard, communication devices, ... is difficult. The alternatives are constantly evolving. For example, in recent years eyegaze-control has been on the rise. During this workshop you will learn what to look for when choosing and supporting alternative access. The workshop is given from many years of daily experience with alternative input devices and emphasizes practical experience, points of interest and cases.

Assessment of visual functioning in persons with multiple disabilities

During this workshop, the occupational therapists at Centrum Ganspoel show how they map the visual functioning within the ICF framework. They show how the visual functions are observed in the stimulus-free room and in the daily environment. A summary of these data can be found in a visual profile and a concise visual sheet for family and supervisors. These materials are developed within Ganspoel. In this workshop examples of technological support to map the visual functioning will also be given.

Early diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment in young children is of great importance for speech and language development and for social, cognitive and emotional development. Children with an intellectual disability are even more inhibited when they are hearing impaired. Hearing impairment also has a major influence on communication and general functioning in older people with intellectual disabilities. Within Het GielsBos we use a protocol in which the hearing of all residential clients is examined on a regular basis. During this workshop we will give you a concrete explanation of our specialized research methods. You‘ll have the opportunity to experience for yourself how this works.

Use of an iPhone by blind and visually impaired users

Hans Van de Vyver, expert Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde

The iPhone is one of the most accessible devices for blind and visually impaired users. You get an overview of the accessibility, possibilities and obstacles, from 7 years experience with the application and learning of the iPhone to blind and visually impaired users.

Experience fair

The experience fair is meant to exchange practical experiences. Maybe you use a simple solution, a tool or a trick for a problem that other colleagues struggle with. Do you use something, have you found a solution yourself or have you made something that is not for sale? Make sure to reserve a table at the experience fair. What you "just use" is often a revelation for other people. We will set a good example and show a few, often simple, solutions to a practical problem. If you bring a second colleague along to staff the stand, this second colleague will receive a 25% discount on the entrance fee! For this you simply register both persons for the Com@ModemDag. When registering for the experience fair, you mention the second colleague who pays only € 80. A limited number of companies and researchers are also welcome at the experience fair. If you are interested, please send a message to modem@thomasmore.be. Commercial exhibitors do not enjoy the discount.